Maffra Secondary College student Jaxon Marshall has returned from a successful visit to Federal Parliament, where he met with local MP Darren Chester as part of a national program.
Jaxon was selected to represent Gippsland at the 2026 National Youth Parliament, and he thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
As part of the visit, Jaxon was able to make a speech about a subject he is passionate about: the future of agriculture in Australia.
“Our environment is the most important aspect of our lives; it’s more than land. It’s our homes, and it’s our communities, and we need to do more to protect it,” Jaxon told the Youth Parliament.
“I come from the country. I understand the fear of drought my dad has. And over the years I have seen the effect Australia’s erratic climate has on farming. This is why I care so much for resilient agriculture, because when farmers are hurt, it’s not just the communities in Gippsland or regional Australia that are. It is every town and city and suburb of Australia.
“This is why I advocate for regenerative farming, creating a healthier, more biodiverse and more resilient environment that can continue producing food for future generations. But farmers cannot do this alone. I call for more than providing grants.
“We need to fund research, share knowledge and give farmers the tools they need so they can do what they love and pass it on to future generations. Because investing in agriculture isn’t just investing in farmers, it’s investing in our communities and Australia’s future.
“This isn’t about my dad, my family or any other farmer farming for another 20 years. This is about making sure that in 30 years a new generation of farmers can, not for them, but for Australia, because that’s what farmers do.”
Mr Chester said it was a strong message, particularly aimed at building understanding among young people in urban areas.
“I congratulate Jaxon for underlining the importance of agriculture and food security,” Mr Chester said.
“Many of the students from metropolitan areas wouldn’t appreciate how farmers care for the environment and their properties as they produce the food for our nation.
“Jaxon represented our region with distinction, and I look forward to watching his career progress.”
